Test Your Home Fire Safety IQ

According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2008, fire departments responded to 386,500 home structure fires that caused more than 13,000 injuries, 2,700 deaths and $8 billion in direct damages. The statistics are startling and preventable with fire safety education. Make sure you truly understand the do’s and don’ts of home fire safety; it could be a matter of life and death. This short quiz will help you test your fire safety smarts.

1.) Most home fires start in the  _________?

A) kitchen

B) bedrooms

C) living room

2.) Extension cords should  _________.

A) supply electricity to as many sources as possible

B) be used only as a temporary solution

C) run under carpets and furniture

3.) What is a GFCI?

A) A type of fire extinguisher used for electrical fires.

B) A detector that interrupts ground faults to help prevent electric shock and fires.

C) A unit that helps firefighters find your home.

4.) Candles should be _________.

A) placed at least one to three feet away from any flammable items

B) burned all the way down

C) used as nightlights

5.) Smoke detector(s) must ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­__________.

A) have their batteries replaced every other year

B) be tested annually

C) be placed on every level of your home and outside bedrooms

1.) A - The kitchen is where most home structure fires start – 40 percent of home fires start there, compared to the eight percent that begin in bedrooms and the four percent that ignite in living rooms. The kitchen can present many safety hazards for all cooks. Know how to cook with kitchen safety in mind.

2.) B - Extension cords are not a permanent solution. It is estimated that extensions cords cause 3,300 residential fires annually, so make sure they are not overloaded or placed where they can be damaged. Find out more about how to limit the threat of electrical fires.  

3.) B – Still feel a little bit clueless? GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. Read What are GCFIs? And why Do You Need Them in Your Home?for a basic explanation.   

4.) A - The number one cause of candle fires is placing candles too close to flammable items such as draperies, furniture, paper or decorations. If you were stumped see our candle safety blog to learn why options B and C are a fire safety hazard.

5.) C – Smoke detector batteries should be changed once a year and tested once a month. A good rule to follow is to change your batteries when you change your clocks in March and October. In 22 percent of home fire deaths smoke alarms were present but did not sound. Remember a broken smoke detector is useless, so test them monthly. Be educated and take steps to prevent home fires.

Being educated about fire safety and incorporating all of these elements into your home to create a safe environment is very important. But, if a fire does start the best defense is a monitored home alarm system that can detect fires and carbon monoxide and immediately notify emergency responders.   

How did you do? 

5 correct – Congratulations! You’re a fire captain. You are fire smart, now make sure you follow through on your knowledge and stay up-to-date with changing safety requirements and recommendations.

4 correct – Well done. You are a firefighter. You have a good understanding of fire safety and are prepared to protect your home and family from potentially life threatening fires.

3 correct – Keep up the good work. You are a fire cadet. You have a basic understanding of fire safety but still have a lot to learn. Educate yourself about the many aspects of fire safety.

2 or less correct – You have work to do. You are a fire hazard. Make learning about fire safety a priority for yourself and your family. The more you know the better your chances are of preventing and reacting safely to a fire.

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